Improve your life easily with
Ayurveda
To visit only with the appointment
Pre-Menstrual Syndrome and Dysmenorrhea
Causes of Aartava Dushti
Pathogenesis
Indulgence in causative factors leads to vitiation of the three Doshas causing PMS. Ayurveda theory points to the buildup of Ama (metabolic toxins and impurities) and blockage of Aratava vaha srotas (Channels of menstruation) as a major contributing factor in PMS symptoms. When Ama accumulates in the female reproductive system, it leads to obstruction in the regular movement of Vata Dosha causing menstrual disturbances. Low digestive fire and unhealthy diet leads to Ama formation. Present day lifestyle is stressful which also aggravates the symptoms. Poor eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, improper sleeping pattern affects the biological rhythm of the body disturbing the normal physiology of menstruation.
As different women experience different symptoms during PMS, understanding the type of symptoms will help to understand the underlying Dosha vitiated thereby helping decide suitable treatment accordingly.
Doshas |
All three Doshas with predominance of Vata DoshaSubtype of Vata involved - Vyana & Apana VataSubtype of Pitta involved – Ranjaka, PachakaSubtype of Kapha involved – Kledaka Kapha |
Dhatu |
Rasa (Lymph), Rakta (Blood) and Artava (Reproductive tissue) |
Status of Agni |
Low Jataragni & Dhatvagni (Digestive & Metabolic fire) |
Srotas (Channels of circulation) involved |
Rasavaha Srotas (Channels carrying lymph)Raktavaha Srotas (Channels carrying blood)Artavavaha Srotas (Channels carrying menstrual fluid) |
Srotodushti (Type of vitiation of channels of circulation) |
Sanga (Obstruction) and Vimargagamana (Reverse flow) |
Udbhavasthana (Site of origin of disease) |
Amashaya – Pakwashaya (Stomach & Large intestine) |
Rogamarga (Pathway of disease) |
Abhyantara (Internal pathway) |
Vyakta Sthana (Site of manifestation of disease) |
Garbhashaya (Uterus) |
Symptoms of Aartava Dushti
The symptoms of PMS can include depression, irritability, mood swings, food cravings, weight gain, bloating, cramping, and acne. PMS symptoms vary according to whether the underlying imbalance is in Vata, Pitta or Kapha. The symptoms usually occur one to two weeks before menstrual period.
Causative factor |
Pitta |
Symptoms |
Menstrual blood is hot and has a putrid smell. It is not very unctuous. There is feeling of heat and burning sensation at the time of excretion of menstrual blood. |
Causative factor |
Kapha |
Symptoms |
Menstrual blood is slimy and pale in colour, very thick, slippery and unctuous. |
Causative factor |
Rakta (Blood tissue) |
Symptoms |
The amount of blood discharged during menstruation is abundant and is bright red like fresh blood. Associated symptoms include heat and burning sensation like the Pittaja Aartava Dushti. |
Causative factor |
Vata and Kapha |
Symptoms |
Menstrual blood appears clotted, that is like a thick mucoid or mucopurulent discharge associated with slough. Other associated symptoms include painful menses and unctuousness or sliminess of the menstrual fluid because of vitiation of Vata and Kapha Doshas. |
Causative factor |
Pitta and Kapha Dosha |
Symptoms |
Menstrual flow is associated with burning sensation, increase of body heat, feverish feeling and heaviness in the body, especially abdomen. Menstrual blood resembles pus, that is it is slimy and having putrid smell. |
Causative factor |
Pitta and Vata Dosha |
Symptoms |
Menstrual cycle is delayed and there is scanty flow of menses associated with pain in the vagina and burning sensation. |
Causative factor |
All three Doshas |
Symptoms |
It will have mixed features of all three Doshas. |
Ayurveda treatments are individualized based upon a person’s Dosha imbalance. Specific symptoms of PMS, their related imbalances and possible treatments are explained below.
Aartava Dushti and Dysmenorrhea
More than half of all girls and women suffer from dysmenorrhea (cramps during menstruation) all over the world. Irregular menstrual cycles and variation in bleeding pattern has become a challenging problem for women of all age groups including young girls, working class woman as well as housewives because of the changing modern-day diet and lifestyle.
Causative Factors
· Avyayama: Lack of physical activity
· Ajirna: Indigestion
· Katu Lavana Ahara: Excess intake of spicy and salty food
· Lack of personal hygiene
Pathogenesis
According to Ayurveda, due to indulgence in causative factors, the aggravated Apana Vata (A type of Vata Dosha) obstructed in its normal downward flow, moves in upward direction and afflicts the uterus. Hence there is pain in uterus and menstrual blood is retained in the uterus and is pushed upwards because of vitiated Apana Vata leading to painful and irregular contractions causing discharge of menstrual blood with spasmodic pain and difficulty. The woman feels comfort immediately after discharge of menstrual blood.
Symptoms
Ayurveda describes the condition of Udavartini Yoni Vyapad that resembles dysmenorrhea (Ref Sloka 2). Dysmenorrhea is explained as a symptom and its Ayurvedic term is Kashtartava. Dull but throbbing pain occurs in lower abdominal region and radiates to the low back or thighs during menstrual period. It is associated with other PMS symptoms like Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea or constipation, Headache, Dizziness, Fainting and fatigue.
The likelihood that a woman will have cramps increases if she leads a stressful life, lack of exercise, uses alcohol, caffeine in excess and if she has endometriosis, uterine fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Ayurveda Approach to Dysmenorrhea
· Sthanika Abhyanga (Local Massage) with lukewarm Dashmool oil on the lower abdomen, low back region and hips followed by Swedana (Hot compress) helps relieve pain during menses as it helps to remove blockage and regulate Vata Dosha (Ref Sloka 3).
· Panchakarma therapies especially Uttarabasti (Intraurethral enema), Anuvasana Basti (Unctuous enema) helps in correcting derangement of Vata Dosha specifically in menstrual problems.
· Herbs that strengthen the uterus such as Dashmool (Root of 10 herbs), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Ashoka (Saraca asoca), Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Darbha (Desmostachya bipinnata) are beneficial.
· Ayurveda herbal preparations such as Sukumara Kashaya, Ashokarishta, Kumaryasava, Chandraprabha vati are beneficial.
· Some other useful Ayurveda recipes –
i. Milk decoction of Dashmool
ii. Administer Cassava (Manihot esculenta) with water.
iii. Shatavari powder is administered with cane sugar and caraway.
iv. Peppermint tea and Fennel tea are beneficial.
v. Decoction of Vrikshamla (Garcinia indica) or Palasha (Butea monosperma) or Tila (Sesamum indicum) and Kimshuka Kshara (Alkali of Butea monosperma)
· Diet suggestions
i. Include unctuous, hot, sour and salty food articles. Eat timely meals, preferably freshly prepared and warm.
ii. Reduce caffeine and sugar.
iii. Favor plums, apple, dark grapes, pomegranate, leavy vegetables, ginger.
· Yogasana especially Ushtrasana (Camel pose), Bhadrasana (Butterfly pose), Gomukhasana (Cow face pose), Vajrasana (Thunderbolt pose) are beneficial.
Aartava Dushti and Menorrhagia
Causative factors
· Upavasa: Excess fasting
· Ati Vyavaya: Excess indulgence in sexual intercourse
· Amla Lavana Katu Rasa Pradhana Ahara: Excess intake of sour, salty, spicy food, hot spices like garlic, asafetida, mustard, etc.
· Ati Snigdha Guru Bhojana: Excess intake of unctuous and heavy food
· Ati Vyayama: Excess physical exercise
· Chinta: Grief, Stress or Tension
Pathogenesis
Because of indulgence in above said causative factors, Pitta Dosha, Vata Dosha and Rakta Dhatu (Blood tissue) are vitiated. According to Ayurveda, Menorrhagia is termed as Raktapradara. The aggravation of the Pitta Dosha is believed to be the cause of menorrhagia. In Raktapradara, aggravated Pitta envelops the Apana Vata (A type of Vata dosha) and vitiates it, thereafter these aggravated Doshas influences the Rajas (menstrual blood) thereby increasing the menstrual flow excessively both in amount and duration. Some women may experience abundant bleeding which can affect day to day activities. (Ref Sloka 4)
Symptoms
Raktapradara can be associated with PMS symptoms like abdominal pain, burning sensation, weakness in the body, nausea and rise in body temperature. There are also several possible causes of menorrhagia – hormonal imbalance, Pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, Infection, tumors, or polyps in the pelvic cavity.
Ayurveda Approach to Menorrhagia
· Cooling and astringent herbs and food articles are beneficial. (Ref Sloka 3)
· Herbs such as Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Anantamool (Hemidesmus indicus), Ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides), Chandana (Santalum album), Draksha (Vitis vinifera), Lodhra (Symplocos racemose), Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticose), Nagakesar (Messua ferra), Ashoka (Saraca asoca), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) are useful.
· Ayurveda herbal preparations like Ushirasava, Chandanasava, Lodhrasava, Ashokarishta, Drakshadi Kashaya, Pushyanuga churna, Shatavari Ghrita, Shatavari Guda, Jatiphala churna are beneficial.
· Some other useful Ayurveda recipes –
i. Lajjalu is made into a paste and administered with rice washed water or juice of Durva (Cynodon dactylon).
ii. Powders of Nagakesar (Messua ferra) and Ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides) is administered with fresh butter and cane sugar.
iii. Boil 25 gm of Ashoka bark powder in 200 ml water and 50 ml milk and reduce it to 50 ml. Filter and drink when it is at room temperature.
· Favor wheat, rice, ash gourd, snake gourd, raisins, pomegranate, dates, ghee and honey.
· Reduce excess intake of pungent, sour, salty food, fish, spicy food, black gram, sesame seeds, horse gram, garlic, curd.
Aartava Dushti and Amenorrhea
Ayurvedic term for Amenorrhea is Anartava or Nashtartava. The absence of menstrual periods during reproductive age of a woman is Amenorrhea. In normal physiological conditions such as before menarche, during pregnancy and breastfeeding and in menopause, absence of menstrual period is very normal and does not cause any problem of the reproductive system. However, if there is absence of menses during other times of the women’s life cycle, it is a pathological condition which has to be treated.
Causative factors
· Ati Shita Ruksha Bhojana: Excess intake of cold and dry food items. Ati karshya: Extreme weight loss or emaciation
· Nutritional deficiencies
· Eating disorders such as bulimic tendencies, Anorexia Nervosa, etc.
· Ati Chinta: Excess stress or worry
Pathogenesis
In pathological amenorrhea, there is aggravation of Kapha Dosha causing Mandagni (Low digestive and metabolic fire) which then leads to deprivation of Pitta Dosha. Also, Kapha Dosha envelops the Vata Dosha and aggravates it. Then the vitiated Kapha and Vata Doshas obstruct the passage or orifices of channels carrying Artava (Artava Vaha Srotas), thus Artava (menses) is destroyed.
Symptoms
Absence of menstruation is the main symptom. Also associated symptoms may include weight gain, bloating, fatigue.
Amenorrhea or non-appearance of menstrual cycle can also be caused due to obesity, hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalances, PCOS and severe anemia.
Ayurveda Approach to Amenorrhea
· As there is vitiation of Kapha Dosha, Vamana or Therapeutic emesis is beneficial. And for Vata vitiation, Anuvasana Basti (Unctuous enema) is beneficial.
· Anuvasana Basti (Unctuous enema) with Shatavari Ghrita or Baladi Yamaka Basti and Niruha Basti (Concoction enema) with Palash Niruha Basti and Dashamuladi Niruha Basti.
· Oral intake of Phala Ghrita, Laghuphala Ghrita, Brihat Shatavari Ghrita, Kumaryasava, Ashwagandharishta, Dashmularishta, Draksharishta, Maharasnadi Kwath, Jirakadi modaka, etc.
· Some other useful Ayurveda recipes –
i. Intake of jaggery mixed with decoction of black sesame seeds daily morning.
ii. Powdered leaves of Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus), roots of Vacha (Acorus calamus), bark of Vijayasar (Pterocarpus marsupium) and alkali of Yavasa (Alhagi camelorum) with water is given orally every day.
iii. Use of herbal preparations such as Shatapushpa Churna, Shatavari Churna, Yashtimadhu Churna, Pushyanuga Churna.
iv. Japapushpa mixed with Kanji is beneficial.
v. Use of Jyotishmati leaves fried in ghee mixed with juice of Durva.
vi. Aloe vera juice with cane sugar is beneficial.
vii. Milk medicated with Jivaniya ghan Dravyas are beneficial.
viii. Decoction of black sesame, Selu and Karavi mixed with jaggery is useful.
ix. Decoction of Manjishta and Lavanga.
· Hot, dry and astringent herbs and food substances are beneficial (Ref Sloka 3).
· Favor horse gram, fish, sesame seeds, black gram, buttermilk, curd, garlic, cloves, fenugreek, black pepper, cumin, ginger, fennel, coriander, mustard, asparagus, dill seeds.
· Regular exercise and Yogasana mainly Padmasana (Lotus pose), Halasana (Plow pose), Dhanurasana (Bow pose), Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand pose), Shalabhasana (Locust pose), Bhujangasana (Cobra pose), Paschimottanasana (Seated forward bend), Padahastasana (Hand to foot pose) are beneficial.
Ayurvedic approach to Treatment of Aartava Dushti
Ayurvedic treatment of PMS is a whole-body approach that can eliminate or reduce the severity of PMS symptoms. Ayurveda is a natural treatment that can decrease or prevent Premenstrual Syndrome symptoms by addressing the root cause of PMS. Ayurveda focuses on an individual’s lack of mental peace and inner joy and helps her balance her body, mind, and spirit, thus improving overall health. The focus of Ayurveda treatment identifies and addresses the cause of PMS.
Correcting Agni
Low digestive fire causes imbalances in Dosha and accumulates Ama or endotoxins in the channels of circulation causing obstruction to menstrual flow and making it painful. Also, indigestion or endotoxins can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation, headache, diarrhea, etc. during menstrual cycle. Hence correcting the digestive and metabolic fire is necessary.
Diet Suggestions
Lifestyle Modifications
Ayurveda Panchakarma
Panchakarma therapies help in detoxification thereby cleansing the uterus and female reproductive system, thereby removing blockages and restoring balance of the three Doshas (Reference Sloka 5). Suitable Panchakarma is planned by the Ayurveda Practitioner according to the Dosha vitiation and health needs of the patient.
If diet and lifestyle are not followed during menstrual cycle, the Doshas are prone to get vitiated easily thereby leading to different menstrual problems such as scanty bleeding, excess flow, painful menstruation, irregular cycles, abdominal cramps, low back pain, anxiety, mood swings, constipation, bloating, nausea, headache, etc. As menstruation is a natural cleansing cycle which occurs every month in women, if it is regular and normal, then the body heals the imbalanced Doshas by itself, purifies the blood and lymph tissue and nourishes the reproductive tissue. Thus, maintaining healthy menstrual cycle is important. Ayurveda has suggested diet and lifestyle to be followed during menstrual cycle.
As every individual is considered unique, Ayurveda treatment differs from patient to patient. Ayurvedic treatment for PMS begins after thorough evaluation of Doshic imbalance by an Ayurvedic practitioner.
Author Bio:
Gurnam Saini has over 15 years’ experience in Ayurvedic naturopathy treatments in Melbourne, Australia. He has completed his bachelor degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery from Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, India. He has done MD in Alternative Medicine and certificate courses in Panchakarma Detox, Pulse diagnosis and skin care. He is also a member of the Australasian Association of Ayurveda (AAA). He has won awards for ground-breaking work in Ayurveda globally. Read More
Have a Query?
Please send your query and we will reply you shortly.
Toenail Fungal Infection Ayurvedic Remedies Acid Reflux Natural and Management Acne Remedy and Herbal Adrenal Fatigue Natural Remedies Allergy Ayurvedic Natural Medicine Alopecia Hair Loss Herbal and Management Alzeimers and Dementia Alternative and Management Anaemia Pandu Roga Management Anal Fissure & Fistula Ayurvedic Anemia Natural Ayurvedic Remedies Ankylosing Spondylitis Ayurvedic Anorexia Nervosa Ayurvedic Anxiety and Stress Management Arthritis And Ayurvedic Atherosclerosis - Traditional Natural and Management of Heart conditions Atrial Fibrillation Ayurvedic Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD and And Pregnancy Care for Asthma Natural Alcoholism And Opiate Drugs Dependence View All
Our Services
Ayurveda stads for extensive and elaborate clinical examination to understand thenature of the disease